Abstract
Polymer matrix fibre reinforced composites have been employed in marine applications for over 50 years, and there is considerable experience of their long term behaviour. However, the recent development of systems designed to recover ocean energy, such as tidal turbines and wave energy generators, imposes much more severe constraints on materials than traditional structures. The requirements in terms of sea water aging and fatigue resistance require specific test programmes; this presentation will describe some of these applications and the tests needed to guarantee long term behavior of composites for these structures. Some results from studies performed in this area at Ifremer over the last 5 years will be discussed.